MBE CERTIFICATION FAQ

The UNYRMPCI web-site is www.unyrmpci.org. All applications and general information can be obtained on the web-site.

Upstate New York Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc.

665 Main Street, Suite 200
Buffalo, New York 14203
(716) 541-1734

We certify minority owned businesses from Albany, Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Jamestown and Surrounding Areas.

It is the certification that Corporate America accepts or requires.

To qualify for an MBE certification, a business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a member of an American ethnic minority group. Minority status constitutes anyone belonging to one of following ethnic groups:

• African-American
• Asian-Indian American
• Asian-Pacific American
• Hispanic American
• Native American

Applicant must have an office physically located in Upstate New York and be authorized by the State and County to do business.

For definitions click here.

We certify ethnic owned companies base on their minority group. "Minority group" members are U.S. Citizens, who are African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian Pacific American, and Asian Indian American. The minority group or individual must own at least 51% of the business. In the case of publicly owned business, those minority group members must control at least 51% of operations.

We have regular scheduled committee meetings listed on the calendar. Committee meetings are closed unless you are a guest of a committee member. MBEs interested in UNYRMPCI certification or potential corporate members are welcome, but you must get MBE certification or sign up to be a corporate member after two visits. UNYRMPCI certified MBEs and Corporate Members are encouraged to attend our seminars, mini-matchmakers, golf outing, annual trade fair and other networking events throughout the year.

The council provides monthly programs and workshops on technology, marketing, sales, and lots of networking opportunities.

The council provides buyers and contracting agencies information about your business through our supplier directory, web page and fax referrals. Most importantly, we help Corporate America enhance their supplier diversity process.

One year. Each year the MBE must re-certify to be current.

A birth certificate proves citizenship.

The certification fee is $150, non-refundable.

Yes! An applicant must be an U.S. citizen either by birth or naturalization. A permanent resident does not qualify.

Typically, the certification process takes between 30 to 90 days once all necessary paperwork is in. This process has five (5) steps:

The applicant submits an application to the staff. Staff reviews the package for completeness.

Once complete, the staff will schedule a Site Visit. Applicant's site will be visited

After the site visit has been completed, the package goes to the Certification Committee. This committee meets bi-monthly and reviews your file based on NMSDC criteria. The committee makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors.

At the next Board of Directors meeting, the applicant's file and certification committee's recommendation are voted on.

After approval or disapproval by the Board of Directors, the applicant will be notified via mail informing them of the Board's decision. The applicant's ability to deliver their complete package in a timely manner, drives the certification process.

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is an industry classification system that groups establishments into industry sectors based on the activities in which they are primarily engaged. The NAICS is a comprehensive system covering the entire field of economic activities, producing and non-producing. This system replaces the former Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) designations. Corporate America and local, state, and federal government entities use NAICS codes. You are required to identify the NAICS designation code(s) of your business.

You may locate the NAICS code at your local public library or on the Internet. The Website address is www.naics.com.

If incorporated, you must provide the following:

• Submit $150.00 non-refundable processing fee
• Fill out UNYRMPCI Application (Please fill out all applicable fields. If field is not applicable please write N/A)
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Articles of Incorporation
• Stock Certificates**; Stock Ledger
• Minutes to Board of Director's Meetings
• Amendments (if applicable)
• Any agreement(s) pertaining to the ownership, operation, and control of business
• Resumes of all principals
• Evidence of Minority Group Status
• Proof of US Citizenship (Birth certificates, U.S. Passports or Naturalization Papers only) of all principals
• Bank Resolution Agreement(s) including Bank Signature Card
• Business Lease Agreement(s)
• Equipment Lease Agreement(s)
• Insurance Agreement(s)

** Stock Certificates -- For incorporated businesses, provide a copy of all Stock Certificates. Certificates should reflect the total stock distribution (e.g., who owns what quantity of shares). If some of the shares have not yet been issued, provide a statement (signed and dated by the appropriate corporate officer) of the number of shares that are outstanding.

If a Partnership you must provide the following:

• Submit $150.00 non-refundable processing fee
• Fill out UNYRMPCI Application (Please fill out all applicable fields. If field is not applicable please write N/A)
• Partnership Agreement
• Amendments to the Partnership Agreement (if applicable)
• Any additional agreements pertaining to the partnership ownership, operation and control of business
• Resumes of all partners
• Evidence of Minority Group Status
• Proof of Citizenship (Birth certificate, U.S. Passports, or Naturalization papers only) of all partners
• Bank Resolution Agreements including Bank Signature Card
• Business Lease Agreement(s)
• Equipment Lease Agreement(s)
• Insurance Agreement(s)

If an LLC you must provide the following:

• Submit $150.00 non-refundable processing fee
• Fill out UNYRMPCI Application (Please fill out all applicable fields. If field is not applicable please write N/A)
• Certificate of Organization
• Articles of Organization
• Unit Certificates for all principals
• Operating Agreement
• Amendments (if applicable)
• Any agreements pertaining to the ownership, operation and control of LLC
• Resumes of all principals
• Evidence of Minority Group Status
• Proof of Citizenship (Birth certificates, U.S. Passports, or Naturalization Papers only) on all principals
• Bank Resolution Agreements including Bank Signature Card
• Business Lease Agreement(s)
• Equipment Lease Agreement(s)
• Insurance Agreement(s)

If a Limited Liability Partnership you must provide the following:

• Submit $150.00 non-refundable processing fee
• Fill out UNYRMPCI Application (Please fill out all applicable fields. If field is not applicable please write N/A)
• Certificate of Limited Liability Partnership
• Articles of Organization
• Operating Agreement(s)
• Unit Certificates
• Any agreements pertaining to the ownership, operation and control of LLP
• Resumes of all partners
• Evidence of Minority Group Status
• Proof of Citizenships (Birth certificates, U.S. Passports or Naturalization papers only) on all partners
• Bank Resolution Agreements including Bank Signature Card
• Business Lease Agreement(s)
• Equipment Lease Agreement(s)
• Insurance Agreement(s)

None! Neither the UNYRMPCI nor the NMSDC certifies JVs (Call UNYRMPCI for clarification).

The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) requires one (1) full year of financial statements be submitted, or for the time the business has been operating, if less than one (1) year.

If your company has been in business for less than a year, provide a copy of the following:

• Beginning Balance Sheet
• Actual Profit and Loss Statement for the length of time you have been in business
• Actual Cash Flow Statement for the length of time you have been in business
• Proforma (projected) Profit and loss Statement for the remaining months equaling 12 months.
• Proforma (projected) Cash Flow statement for the remaining months equaling 12 months.
• Ending Balance Sheet
• If your Business runs on a Fiscal year, submit documents for a twelve month period coinciding with the fiscal year period
• If your Business runs on a Calendar year, submit financial statements for the previous Calendar year
• If your Business has been operating for less than 12 months (e.g., two-months for example), you should submit actual financial statements for the two-month operations and pro-forma for the remaining ten-(10) month, totaling 12 months.
• Tax Information
• NMSDC policy requires submission of your Business Tax Return for the preceding year. If you have been in business for more than a year and have not filed taxes, submit a copy of the previous year's tax return and a copy of your Automatic Extension Agreement. For Start-up Businesses, please write a letter indicating you are a start-up business and have not filed taxes.

Upon certification approval, a Certificate and Welcome letter will be sent. Upon request, a User-Name and Password will be issued for access to the UNYRMPCI directory available on our Website. Access will be available to all MBE, government agencies and corporate representatives affiliated with the council. All new certified suppliers will be notified of New Member Orientation and all other UNYRMPCI sponsored networking and procurement functions.

There are several ways to take full advantage of all the Council offers. However, active involvement and participation are keys to capitalizing on your membership opportunities.

• Become an active participant in UNYRMPCI committees. Committee structures exist to assist UNYRMPCI in the execution of its annual operations and provide members with a direct opportunity to network with other MBE, government and corporate affiliates.
• Target specific corporation(s) you would like to do business with. Research the company's business and develop a strategic approach for conducting business. Remember, every corporation is currently buying from someone! Who are your competitors?
• Participate in educational seminars offered by the Council including networking meetings, national conferences and all other UNYRMPCI/NMSDC networking functions.
• Provide the Council with feedback on your networking success stories.
• Update our offices on any changes regarding the operation of your business. Referrals drive the information contained in our database. Please keep us informed of any changes.
• Notify us of any difficulties you are having.

There are numerous agencies to register with, including:

• UNYRMPCI
• For private sector corporations, only NMSDC certification is required. You should certify only with those certifying bodies that you want to do business with and that offer an economic benefit to being certified.
• Local and State Government - Those government agencies with M/WBE programs usually have a certification program. Some agencies accept other government agency certifications and NMSDC certification, most accept only their own. You must call the government agency to find out the certifications they will accept.
• DOT - The US Department of Transportation has their own certification process. It is necessary to include a personal financial statement as part of the certification process, as there is a net worth limitation. DOT certifies traditional minority owned businesses and other business that can demonstrate that they have been disadvantaged.
• Federal Government and Government Prime Contractors
• Federal agencies, such as the department of Defense, Department of the Treasury, etc. and Federal Prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon only accept SDB (Small Disadvantaged Business) certification, issued by the Small Business Administration (SBA). It is necessary to include a personal financial statement as part of the certification process, as there is a net worth limitation. Also the business must be a small business, as defined by the SBA. SBA certifies traditional minority owned businesses and other business that can demonstrate that they have been disadvantaged. SDB certified firms must be owned by United States citizens.
• 8(a) Certification - A special category of firms, eligible for federal set-sides. 8(a) firms can include traditional minority owned businesses and other business that can demonstrate that they have been disadvantaged. 8(a) certified firms must be United States citizens.
• Hub Zone - A special category of firms, eligible for federal set-sides. Hub zone firms have to have their headquarters located in Census Tracts with residents earning below the national average. Hub Zone firms can include traditional minority owned businesses and other business that can demonstrate that they have been disadvantaged.

It is the organization that all companies with world class Supplier Diversity companies belong to. If you have a new Supplier Diversity Program, we can help you enhance your program. Your company should and can use NMSDC to certify MBE's anywhere in the country at no additional cost.

The basic concept of minority business development programs is to help MBE's get business. If a MBE wanted to do business with 50 major firms or government agencies, that MBE company might have to fill out 50 separate forms. Some of these take 8 hours or more to fill out and gather the necessary paperwork. It is often easier for a MBE not to fill out the paperwork and be considered a non-MBE firm. Since the intent of MBE programs is to help MBE firms, paperwork reduction and time savings should be a major goal. It is waste of time and money for 50 MBE coordinators at their respective companies or government agencies to gather, process, analyze and make recommendations on the same company.

By using a resource used by over 3,000 major companies nationally, i.e., using the 39 regional minority-purchasing councils as a central certification point. These 39 RMPC's use standard, documented, consistent procedures.

State and local certifications all have differing criteria for MBE certification. Some do not require MBE’s to be citizens, some include Women owned businesses in their definitions, and some have net worth or other limitations. There are a few that have different ethnic groups in their definitions. DOT, SDB, Hub Zone and 8(a) certifications can include women or non-minority males in their definition of disadvantaged.

NMSDC certification is consistent nationally. NMSDC certification can be a tremendous asset in helping MBE firms expand their business by being in a national network of corporate purchasers.

The goal is to increase business opportunities for minority owned businesses and the volume of goods and services purchased from those businesses. Minority business development allows MBE's to participate in the economic mainstream. It is not a social program. It increases competition, lowering your costs and increasing product quality. Exclusion of business opportunities for groups that supply our revenue is detrimental to our financial security. The minority business development process must become an integral part of your organization's business objectives.

• Company Benefits
• It will increase competition and lower costs.
• It can increase your minority market share.
• Expands sources.
• Improves product quality.
• External Benefits
• Creates jobs in the minority community.
• Reduces the negative components of unemployment - crime and welfare.
• Increases tax base.

• Policy - The Corporate MBE Policy should be endorsed by senior management
• MBE Legitimacy (Certification) -World Class Supplier Diversity Programs use the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) to certify (verify) minority business ownership
• Provide Incentives -Positive efforts and results need to be rewarded and encouraged.
• Set Goals -Whether the attainment of a percentage of your annual budget is your goal or a percentage increase in purchases from MBE's, your goals should be measurable.
• Analyze Practices - Installing an MBE process usually means reviewing existing practices. Analyze present practices, with corresponding recommendations to ease MBE participation.
• Keep Score - Measure results regularly and determine if you reached your objectives. If not, determine what went wrong and revise action plans.
• Recognize your Successes - A recognition program is one of the most effective tools for increasing MBE participation.